His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

Chapter

29

The sound of police sirens cut through the air. I could hear them getting closer, their lights flashing in the distance. I didn't move from my spot by the window as the

police arrived, guns drawn. They approached Nathan cautiously, assessing

the scene. The rogues, battered and

bruised, were being handcuffed and

dragged away one by one.

Nathan reached the front steps and

knocked, his hand still trembling from the

fight.

I hesitated for a moment before opening the door. Nathan stood there, bloodied, bruised, and holding the bouquet like it was some sort of peace offering. His eyes flickered to the toys scattered across the floor inside the house. They belonged to

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His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

37

Oliver. The sight of them seemed to stir something in Nathan, a brief flash of guilt crossing his face.

"-" He started, then stopped. He cleared his throat, trying again. "Doris, I'm sorry. I've been a fool. I know I messed up, and I want to make things right."

I didn't say anything, just stood there, staring at him blankly. My silence seemed to make him more desperate.

"I brought these for you," he said, lifting the roses. "I know how much you love

them."

I raised an eyebrow, the coldness in my voice unmistakable. "I'm allergic to roses.

Nathan blinked, taken aback. "What?"

"Sienna told you I loved roses, didn't she?"

I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

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His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

37

29

Nathan stammered, his confusion

growing. "Yeah, she-she said you loved them. I thought-"

a bitter laugh, shaking

"Of course she did.

had brought me flowers when I

and the roses

my skin

believed me back then, accusing me

cosmetic

He had

always.

as he realized

didn't

didn't." My voice

believed whatever Sienna told you. You've never known

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But Our

37

29

really,"

tightened around the boNqNet, his knuckles

I didn't

my voice

of my house, Nathan,

call the police again."

widened, panic

"Doris, please"

"I said leave,"

I

for a

I would change

move, didn't

bouquet of

hand. I watched

down the steps, his shoulders slumped in

was

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By Ow SONS IN

99

against it,

pressing down on me. The house was a mess,

the remnants of

lingering in

time in a long time, I felt nothing.

Just indifference.

of him disgusted me more than anything. He was clutching that stupid bouquet of roses like it was supposed to

that had

of all things. He still didn't

never had.

I

my chest as I looked down at the flowers. Red

told him I liked them.